Speakerphone configuration for conferencing

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a speakerphone configuration for audio and/or video conferencing that includes a cavity underneath the speakerphone where cable ports are arranged. The arrangement of the cable ports are such that when a power plug is installed in the speakerphone, a telecommunication port is blocked, and vice versa. In addition, the port arrangement allows cables to attach to opposite walls in the cavity such that cables run parallel to each other within the cavity. The disclosed speakerphone may be daisy-chained together and function as a single unit. Therefore a speakerphone according to the disclosure may function as either a master unit, a mid unit, or an end unit in a string of speakerphones depending on how the speakerphone is wired. The port arrangement in the cavity increases ease for setup and daisy-chaining of multiple speakerphone units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/370,148, filed Dec. 6, 2016, which claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/320,153 filedApr. 8, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Speakerphones are used in conference rooms to place and receive calls ina group setting. Depending on room size, multiple speakerphones may beused in a room. Traditional setups may involve installing multiplespeakers and microphones throughout the room and cabling each to acentral sound mixer.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure provide for a device. The device includes aspeaker, a microphone, and a housing at least partly enclosing thespeaker and the microphone. The housing includes a top face including aplurality of input buttons, at least one side wall including one or morelights, and a bottom face opposite the top face, the bottom face. Thebottom face includes a cavity, which comprises a well. The well has afirst wall having a first port; a second wall adjacent to the firstwall, the second wall having a second port; a third wall adjacent to thesecond wall and parallel to the first wall; and a fourth wall adjacentto the first wall and the third wall and parallel to the second wall.The first port is inaccessible when a first cable is connected to thesecond port, and the second port is inaccessible when a second cable isconnected to the first port.

In one example, the cavity also includes at least two channels, a firstchannel running between a first side wall and the well, and a secondchannel running between a second side wall and the well. In thisexample, the well has a first depth selected to receive a plug of thefirst or second cable, and the at least two channels each have a seconddepth selected to receive the first or second cable therethrough. Inanother example, the first port is configured to connect to a secondspeakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones, the second port isconfigured to connect to a power source, and the third port isconfigured to connect to a third speakerphone of the plurality ofspeakerphones.

In yet another example, the first port is an RJ45 port and the secondport is a barrel power port. In this example, the RJ45 port is a firstRJ45 port, and the third wall has a third port that is a second RJ45port. In addition, the first wall has a fourth port that is a micro-USBport. Also in this example, the fourth wall has a cable guide for amicro-USB cable.

Other aspects of the disclosure provide for an assembly. The assemblyincludes a plurality of speakerphones, each speakerphone having ahousing. The housing of each speakerphone includes a top face includinga plurality of input buttons, at least one side wall including one ormore lights, and a bottom face including a cavity. The cavity comprisesa well, which has a first wall having a first port; a second walladjacent to the first wall, the second wall having a second port; athird wall adjacent to the second wall and parallel to the first wall,the third wall having a third port; and a fourth wall adjacent to thefirst wall and the third wall and parallel to the second wall. The firstport is inaccessible when a first cable is connected to the second port,and the second port is inaccessible when a second cable is connected tothe first port. A pair of speakerphones in the plurality ofspeakerphones is configured to connect via a cable installed in a firstport of a first speakerphone and a third port of a second speakerphone.

In one example, the first port is configured to connect to a secondspeakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones, the second port isconfigured to connect to a power source, and the third port isconfigured to connect to a third speakerphone of the plurality ofspeakerphones. In this example, the first port is a first RJ45 port, thesecond port is a barrel power port, and the third port is a second RJ45port. In addition, the first wall further includes a fourth port that isa micro-USB port. Also in this example, the fourth wall has a cableguide for a micro-USB cable.

In another example, the cavity further comprises at least two channels,a first channel running between a first side wall and the well, and asecond channel running between a second side wall and the well. In thisexample, the well has a first depth selected to receive a plug of thefirst or second cable, and the at least two channels each have a seconddepth selected to receive the first or second cable therethrough.

In yet another example, a first speakerphone of the plurality ofspeakerphones is operational when connected to a second speakerphone ofthe plurality of speakerphones via the first port of the firstspeakerphone, a power source via the second port of the firstspeakerphone, and an audio source via a fourth port of the firstspeakerphone. In this example, the second speakerphone is operationalwhen connected to the first speakerphone via the third port of thesecond speakerphone and to a third speakerphone via the first port ofthe second speakerphone.

Further aspects of the disclosure provide for a kit. The kit includes aplurality of speakerphones, each speakerphone having a housing thatincludes a top face including a plurality of input buttons; at least oneside wall including one or more lights; and a bottom face including acavity. The cavity comprises a well that has a first wall having a firstport; a second wall adjacent to the first wall, the second wall having asecond port; a third wall adjacent to the second wall and parallel tothe first wall, the third wall having a third port; and a fourth walladjacent to the first wall and the third wall and parallel to the secondwall. The first port is inaccessible when a first cable is connected tothe second port, and the second port is inaccessible when a second cableis connected to the first port. A pair of speakerphones in the pluralityof speakerphones is configured to connect via a cable installed in afirst port of a first speakerphone and a third port of a secondspeakerphone.

In one example, the first port is configured to connect to a secondspeakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones, the second port isconfigured to connect to a power source, and the third port isconfigured to connect to a third speakerphone of the plurality ofspeakerphones. In this example, the first port is a first RJ45 port, thesecond port is a barrel power port, and the third port is a second RJ45port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a speakerphone in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A shows a view of a side wall in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a view of a top face in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view and a side view of buttons of aspeakerphone in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram of a speakerphone in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 show two exploded views of a speakerphone in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the interior and exterior sides of a bottomface component, respectively, without connection to the rest of thespeakerphone.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the lower half of the speakerphone with theupper half omitted for clarity. Here, the figure presents a view of thebottom face component as assembled as part of the speakerphone from theinside of the speakerphone, in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 8-12 are perspective views of the bottom face of a speakerphone inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are zoomed in views of the cable guide in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show views of the bottom faces of speakerphones wiredfor use as a master unit of a string of speakerphones in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show views of the bottom faces of speakerphones wiredfor use as a mid unit of a string of speakerphones in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a view of the bottom face of a speakerphone wired for useas an end unit of a string of speakerphones in accordance with aspectsof the disclosure.

FIGS. 17A-C are pictorial diagrams of examples of two speakerphonestethered together for conferencing in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 18A-C are pictorial diagrams of examples of more than two speakerstethered together for conferencing in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 19 is a pictorial diagram of a further example of more than twospeakers tethered together for conferencing in accordance with aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a view of the bottom face of a speakerphone wired forsingle unit use in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are pictorial diagrams of speakerphones wired for useas a single unit in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The technology relates to a configuration of conference speakerphonesthat increases ease for setup and tethering of multiple speakerphoneunits. The speakerphones have both audio output and audio inputcapabilities. Each speakerphone may have a top face where buttons (orsensors) are for user touch input, at least one side wall, and a bottomface where a cavity is configured to receive all the cable attachmentsfor speakerphone operation. The cavity may be configured to allow aplurality of cable attachment options while preventing incorrect cableattachments.

The cavity may be configured to receive at least one cable connector ator proximate to an inner wall opposite the wall where the cableconnector enters the cavity. The inner wall may include ports (or jacks)for a combination of communication plugs and/or power plugs. Ports maybe positioned in the cavity such that cable connectors may attach toopposite sides such that the cables run parallel to each other in thecavity. In addition, a port may be positioned such that installation ofa cable in a different port blocks access to the port. The cavity mayalso include guides for at least one cable.

In operation, more than one conference speakerphone may be connected andused for conducting a given call. A plurality of speakerphones may bedaisy-chained together, including a master unit, an end unit, and anynumber of mid units connected between the master unit and the end unit.The cavity of each speakerphone includes all ports needed for operationas any of a master unit, an end unit, or a mid unit.

When more than one conference speakerphone are tethered together, aprocessor in each of the speakerphones may determine whether a givenspeakerphone is a master unit, mid unit, or an end unit based ondetecting which cables are connected to the speakerphone. The processormay then follow instructions stored in the memory of the speakerphone tooperate the speakerphone as the determined unit.

In addition, as discussed in detail below, the features described hereinallow for various alternatives.

Example Systems

A speakerphone may comprise a top face, a bottom face, and a pluralityof side walls. The top face of the speakerphone may include a speakergrill and a plurality of buttons. The buttons may be concave andsurrounded by a raised edge so a user may be able to locate the buttonseasily by touch. Furthermore, a raised dot may be located near thebutton to also aid in locating the buttons by touch. The buttons may bearranged in two sets, a first set on a first half of the top face and asecond set on the second half of the top face. The number of buttons inthe first set may be different from the number of buttons in the secondset so that a user may determine the orientation of the speakerphone andthe buttons based on touch. For example, there may be five buttons—e.g.,pick up call, hang up, volume up, volume down, and mute. In onescenario, the pick up call and hang up buttons may be the first set thatis arranged along a first edge of the top face. In this case, the volumeup, volume down, and mute buttons may be the second set of buttons thatis arranged along a second edge of the top face opposite the first edge.

The at least one side wall may include lights, such as LEDs, that canilluminate in different colors such as green, red and yellow to indicatestatus of the device; for example, on, off, and mute. In addition, metalmesh may also be included on the at least one side wall.

Overall, using the above disclosed configuration, the speakerphone maybe compact and aesthetically pleasing. For example, the speakerphone maybe a rectangular prism having a 120 mm×120 mm top face, a 120 mm×120 mmbottom face, and a 68 mm high side wall. When installed, all of thecabling connections will be tucked neatly underneath the speakerphone tohide them from view, minimize cable tangles and loose connections, etc.The surface of the speakerphone may be customized by color, material,and/or logo, as well as other style and design choices.

As shown in FIG. 1, speakerphone 100 includes top face 110, whichcomprises five buttons 130, 131, 132, 133, 134. On one side are the pickup call 130 and hang up 131 buttons. On the other side are the volumedown 132, mute 133, and volume up 134 buttons. The top face 110 also hasthe speaker grill 140 between the two sets of buttons. Also, two sidewalls 150, 152 are shown with the LED lights 160, 162 at the center ofeach wall with metal mesh covering the lower half of each side wall. TheLEDs may illuminate in different colors to indicate a currentoperational status of the speakerphone.

In FIG. 2A, side wall 152 is shown with a solid upper half 170 and ametal mesh bottom half 172. An LED light 180 is shown at the center ofthe side wall 152, and a cutout for a channel to the cavity is shown atthe bottom of the side wall 152. In this example, the dimensions of theside wall are 120 mm wide and 68 mm high. The cutout for the channel istrapezoidal in shape, having sides that angle slightly outward towardthe bottom face of the speakerphone. Here, the average width of thecutout is on the order of about 26.5 mm, plus or minus 15%. The heightof the cutout is large enough for the installed cables to fit, such thatthe bottom face of the speakerphone may be placed on a surface and be infull contact with the surface without pressing on a cable installed inthe cavity. In this example, the height of the cutout is on the orderabout 7 mm, plus or minus 15%. The cutout therefore forms a channel tothe cavity that is about 26.5 mm wide and 7 mm deep. The cutout may bepositioned directly below and centered with the LED light. The LED lightmay have a slightly smaller width than the cutout; for instance, 25 mm.As noted above, the particular dimensions discussed herein are merelyexemplary, and may be larger or smaller, for instance to accommodatediameters of different sizes of USB, RJ45 and/or power cables.

In FIG. 2B, top face 110 is shown with pick up call 130 and hang up 131buttons along a first edge 190, and volume down 132, mute 133, andvolume up 134 buttons along a second edge 192. The buttons may all bethe same shape and size, such as a circle with a 12 mm diameter as shownin FIG. 12B. The majority of the top face 110 between the first edge 190and the second edge 192 is covered by a speaker grill 194. The speakergrill may have trapezoidal cutouts along a first edge and a second edge,such that the speaker grill partially encloses or otherwise goes aroundthe buttons located on the first edge 190 and the second edge 192 of thetop face when installed.

In some examples, buttons of the speakerphone may have features thatprovide tactile feedback to users. Shown in FIG. 3 are views of buttons132, 133, 134 of speakerphone 100. Each button of speakerphone 100 has aconcave shape and include a raised ring 195 around the button and araised dot 196 by each button. The raised ring 195 and the raised dot196 allow a user to recognize button location using touch, making iteasier for visually impaired users to use the speakerphone. The featuressuch as the raised ring and the raised dot may be manufactured as partof the top face of the speakerphone. The images of the buttons are shownto be a silkscreen print, such as the plus sign 197 for button 134.

Each speakerphone, in addition to having a speaker and a microphone,also has input buttons, LED lights, and a computing device. Thecomputing device may comprise one or more processors and a memory thatstores instructions for operation of the speakerphone and other data. InFIG. 4, speakerphone 100 is depicted as having computing device 200 thatincludes processor(s) 210 and memory 212. Stored in memory 212 areinstructions 214 for operation of the speakerphone and data 216.Computing device 200 is configured to operate speaker 220, microphone222, input buttons 224, and LED lights 226.

The speakerphone may comprise an assembly 500 of a plurality ofcomponents, as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the speakerphone maycomprise a top housing structure and a bottom face component. Tophousing structure 310 comprises an assembly that includes the top faceand the plurality of side walls of the speakerphone, leaving an openend. Components such as the speaker, microphone, processor(s), andmemory may be assembled within the top housing structure. Bottom facecomponent 320 includes an interior side, shown in FIG. 6A, that isconfigured to contact and/or couple with components of the top housingstructure 310, such as the processor(s). Bottom face component 320 alsoincludes an exterior side, shown in FIG. 6B, that comprises the bottomface of the speakerphone. When coupled with the top housing structure310, as illustrated as assembly 700 in FIG. 7, bottom face component 320closes the open end of the top housing structure 310. The assembly mayinclude screws and other fastening means to hold together the pluralityof components of the speakerphone.

The bottom face of the speakerphone includes a cavity that is configuredto receive at least one cable connector. Specifically, the cavity may beconfigured to receive at least one cable connector at or proximate to aninner wall opposite the wall where the cable connector enters thecavity. The inner wall may include ports for cable connectors, such asUSB plugs, RJ45 plugs, and/or power plugs, that may be positioned in thecavity such that cable connectors may attach to opposite sides and thecables may run parallel to each other in the cavity.

The cavity may include a rectangular well in the bottom face of thespeakerphone. The rectangular well may have a first wall, a second wall,a third wall, and a fourth wall. The first wall may be parallel andopposite the third wall, and the second wall may be between the firstwall and the third wall and may be parallel and opposite the fourthwall. In FIGS. 8-12, the cavity includes rectangular well 400, which hasfirst wall 402, second wall 404, third wall 406, and fourth wall 408.First wall 402 is parallel and opposite third wall 406, and second wall404 is between first wall 402 and third wall 406 and is parallel andopposite fourth wall 408.

The cavity may further include one or more channels between the edge ofthe bottom face to the cavity. The one or more channels may be shallowerthan the rectangular well. An attachment means may also be included onthe bottom face for connection with a retention bracket to stabilize thespeakerphone on a surface. Shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 8-12is cavity including a rectangular well 400 at the center of the bottomface 120, four channels 422, 424, 426, 428 from the center of each edgeof the bottom face 120 to the well 400, and two attachment features 434,438 carved in two of the channels 424, 428. Channels 422, 424, 426, 428are shaped the same as the cutouts of the side walls of the speakerphone100, having a trapezoidal shape with sides that angle slightly outwardtoward bottom face 120 of speakerphone 100. The average width of thechannel is about 26.5 mm, and the depth of the channel is about 7 mm.The cavity and four channels 422, 424, 426, 428 carve into the bottomface in a cross pattern.

The remaining portions of the bottom face of the speakerphone may becovered in material that provides vibration damping, such as ethylenepropylene diene monomer rubber or cellular rubbers. The rest of thebottom face apart from the well, channels, and attachment featurescomprise base pads. In the example implementation in FIGS. 8-12, thebottom face comprises four base pads 432, 434, 436, 438 located at thecorners of the bottom face, interspersed between the four channels 422,424, 426, 428 that are adapted to receive one or more cablestherethrough. Base pad 432 is between channels 422 and 424; base pad 434is between channels 424 and 426; base pad 436 is between channels 426and 428; and base pad 438 is between channels 428 and 422. When in use,the base pads 432, 434, 436, 438 of the speakerphone are placed flatagainst a surface, such as a table, and the clearance between the tableand the channels 422, 424, 426, 428 is large enough for installed cablesto pass through. The base pads may be covered in a vibration dampingmaterial, such as cellular rubber.

A port may be positioned in the cavity such that installation of a cablein a different port in the cavity blocks access to the port. Forexample, ports included in the cavity may include a micro-USB port on afirst wall of the cavity, a first RJ45 port positioned next to themicro-USB port on the first wall nearer to the second wall, a barrelpower port positioned on the second wall close to the first wall, and asecond RJ45 port positioned on the third wall at a greater distance fromthe second wall than the first RJ45 port. The first RJ45 port on thefirst wall and the barrel power plug on the second wall may be closeenough to each other that when an RJ45 cable is inserted in the firstRJ45 port, the RJ45 plug blocks access to the barrel power port, andvice versa.

The well 400 shown in FIGS. 8-12 is configured to receive a plurality ofplugs. The well walls 402, 404, 406, 408 are deep enough such thatinstalled cable plugs fit underneath the speakerphone 100 so that thespeakerphone 100 may be placed on a surface and fully contact thesurface. In this, the well 400 has a depth of 24.5 mm from the bottomface 120 of the speakerphone and/or 17.5 mm from the depth of thechannels 422, 424, 426, 428. First wall 402 includes a micro-USB port412 and a first RJ45 port 413, a second wall 404 includes a barrel powerport 414, a third wall 406 includes a second RJ45 port 416, and a fourthwall 408 includes a cable guide 418.

The distance between the first and third walls and the second and fourthwalls may be large enough to accommodate all the maximum number ofcables necessary for speakerphone operation. For example, the cavityshown in FIGS. 8-12 has distances of about 73.5 mm between the first 402and third 406 walls and about 38.5 mm between the second 404 and fourth408 walls. This implementation is able to accommodate a barrel powercable connector, an RJ45 cable connector, and a micro-USB cableconnector.

The cavity may also include guides for at least one cable. A cable guidemay be included as part of the fourth wall. The cable guide may includetwo openings in the fourth wall and a U-shaped channel cut into thebottom face of the speakerphone between the two openings. The U-shapedchannel may be shallower than the well. The cable guide may be used tocoil the micro-USB cable and guide the micro-USB plug to the micro-USBport. The coiling of the micro-USB cable may secure the connection andalso divert the micro-USB cable away from an RJ45 cable inserted in thesecond RJ45 port on the third wall.

As depicted in FIGS. 8-12, cable guide 418 is included in fourth wall408. Cable guide 418 comprises two openings in fourth wall 408 and aU-shaped channel cut into bottom face 120 to a shallower depth than thewell 400 and deeper depth than channels 422, 424, 426, 428. As shown inFIG. 13A, cable guide 418 comprises a semicircle-shaped channel. Thecable guide channel has an inner radius 1302 and an outer radius 1304greater than the inner radios 1302. For example, the inner radius may beabout 4.75 mm, and the outer radius may be about 10.1 mm. As shown inFIG. 13B, the cable guide channel also has a width 1306 and a depth1308. In this example, the cable guide channel width is about 5-6 mm,and the depth is about 14.8 mm from the bottom face of the speakerphoneor 7.8 mm from the channel depth. The specific dimensions discussedherein are non-limiting, and may vary, for instance to accommodatedifferent types and diameters of cables. In one scenario, the inner andouter radii 1302, 1304 are selected to provide an acceptable cablebending radius, which reduces the likelihood of an electrical break inthe wiring of the cable.

In operation, more than one conference speakerphone having theabove-described configuration may be connected and used for conducting agiven call. A plurality of speakerphones may be daisy-chained together,including a master unit, an end unit, and any number of mid unitsconnected between the master unit and the end unit. The cavity of eachspeakerphone includes all ports needed for operation as any of a masterunit, an end unit, or a mid unit.

For example, to use the speakerphone as a master unit, a power barrelplug may connect the speakerphone to a power source, a micro-USB plugmay connect to a computer or other audio source, and an RJ45 cable mayconnect to the next speakerphone. As previously discussed, the powerbarrel plug may block the first RJ45 port, so the RJ45 cable can only beinserted in the second RJ45 cable. FIGS. 14A and 14B show views of thebottom face of speakerphone 100 wired for use as a master unit of astring of speakerphones in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.The speakerphone 100 is wired with a barrel power plug 1402, 1412, anRJ45 plug 1404, 1414, and a micro-USB plug 1406, 1416. As shown in FIG.14B, the micro-USB cable 1416, is coiled around the cable guide in aloop to better secure the plug in the port. In operation the bottom faceis in contact with the table or other surface.

To use the speakerphone as a mid unit, the RJ45 cable from the previousunit may be inserted in one of the two RJ45 ports, and a new RJ45 cableinto the other RJ45 port to be connected to the next unit. FIGS. 15A and15B show views of the bottom face of speakerphone 100 wired for use as amid unit of a string of speakerphones in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure. The speakerphone 100 is wired with two RJ45 plugs 1502 and1504, 1512 and 1514 connected to opposite walls of the cavity of thespeakerphone, with portions of the RJ45 cables overlapping in parallelwithin the cavity. One RJ45 cable is for input and the other RJ45 cableis for output. In operation the bottom face is in contact with the tableor other surface.

To use the speakerphone as an end unit, the RJ45 cable from the previousunit may be inserted in one of the two RJ45 ports, with no other cableconnected. FIG. 16 shows a view of the bottom face of speakerphone 100wired for use as an end unit of a string of speakerphones in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure. The speakerphone 100 is wired with asingle RJ45 plug 1602. In operation the bottom face is in contact withthe table or other surface.

FIGS. 17A-C are pictorial diagrams of examples of two speakerphonestethered together for conferencing in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 17A, speakerphone setup 1700A of an audiosource 1702 and two speakerphones configured as described above includesa cable connection 1712 between audio source 1702 and a firstspeakerphone 1704, for example, via a USB cable, and a cable connection1714 between first speakerphone 1704 and second speakerphone 1706, forexample, via an RJ45 cable. A power source 1708 is connected to firstspeakerphone 1704 using power cable 1716. In this example, audio source1702 is a single computer, first speakerphone 1704 functions as a masterunit 1704 since first speakerphone 1704 is directly connected to theaudio source, and second speakerphone 1706 functions as an end unit.

Alternatively, in FIG. 17B, installation of speakerphone set up 1700Bincludes a cable connection 1712 between audio source 1702 and firstspeakerphone 1704, for example, via a USB cable, and a cable connection1714 between first speakerphone 1704 and second speakerphone 1706, forexample, via an RJ45 cable. In this example, a power source 1708 isconnected to second speakerphone 1706 via power cable 1716. Firstspeakerphone 1704 still functions as a master unit, and secondspeakerphone 1706 as an end unit.

As shown in FIG. 17C, it is an improper installation 1700C to connectspeakerphone setup 1700A or 1700B to a second computer 1720 or otheraudio or power source.

FIGS. 18A-C are pictorial diagrams of examples of more than twospeakerphones tethered together for conferencing in accordance withaspects of the disclosure. Similar to the two-speakerphone setup inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the speakerphone setup 1800A in FIG. 18A includes afirst speakerphone 1704 with a cable connection 1712 to audio sourcesuch as a computer, for example, via a USB cable. The plurality ofspeakerphones 1704, 1706, 1802 are connected one to the next startingfrom first speakerphone 1704 to second speakerphone 1706, via cableconnection 1714, and second speakerphone 1706 to third speakerphone 1802via cable connection 1812. The cable connections 1714, 1812 may be viaRJ45 cables. The first speakerphone functions as the master unit, thesecond speakerphone 1706 as the mid unit, and the third speakerphone1802 as the end unit. The power source 1708 is properly installed viapower cable 1716 to first speakerphone 1704, the master unit.

Speakerphone setup 1800B in FIG. 18B includes setup 1800A with anaddition of two additional speakerphones 1804, 1806. Cable connection1814 connects speakerphone 1804 to speakerphone 1802 to continue thestring of speakerphones, and cable connection 1816 connects speakerphone1806 to 1804, making speakerphone 1806 the new end unit of the setup.Speakerphone setup 1800C of FIG. 18C is a variation of speakerphonesetup 1800B differing in the location of the connection to power source1708. As illustrated, power source 1708 is properly installed tospeakerphone 1806 via power cable 1716.

Speakerphone setup 1900 of FIG. 19 shows a further variation of setup1800B. In this example, audio source 1702 is connected to speakerphone1802, a mid unit, rather than speakerphone 1704, which becomes a secondend unit to the string of speakerphones. It is possible to connect thecomputer to any of the mid units of a string of speakerphones. Here,power source 1708 remains connected to speakerphone 1704, supplyingpower to the other speakerphones in the string, but may alternatively beconnected to speakerphone 1806, as shown in FIG. 18C.

When tethered together as described above, a processor in each of thespeakerphones, such as processor(s) 210, may determine whether a givenspeakerphone is a master unit, mid unit, or an end unit based ondetecting which cables are connected to the speakerphone. The processormay then follow instructions stored in the memory of the speakerphone,such as instructions 214 in memory 212, to operate the speakerphone asthe determined unit. The processor may also determine whether a givenspeakerphone has cables improperly connected and provide an indicationof the improper connection, for example, using the LED lights 226.

One mixed audio signal is provided to an audio source, such audio source1702, and output from the audio source to the full string ofspeakerphones. The full string of speakerphones then operates to provideaudio output from every speakerphone in the full string as a singlespeaker. Using multiple speakerphones in this way may provide enoughsound to fill a larger room such that call participants may hear thecall clearly no matter where they are in the room. In addition, becauseeach speakerphone also has a microphone, such as microphone 222, callparticipants also may be clearly heard no matter where they are in theroom. This multiple-speakerphone setup is significantly less costly andprovides better audio than traditional conference room systems.

In some implementations, the buttons on each tethered speakerphone aresynchronized. For example, pressing the mute button on one speakerphoneunit causes all speakerphone units to be muted. Pressing a volumecontrol button on one unit causes the audio volume to be raised orlowered on all units. For this synchronized functioning, touch input maybe received at a given speakerphone in a string of speakerphonesconnected as disclosed above. Then, the processors in each of the otherspeakerphones in the string of speakerphones receive instructions basedon the touch input in the given speakerphone via the RJ45 cables linkingthe speakerphones. For instance, in setup 1900, touch input, such aspressing the mute button, may be received at any one of speakerphones1704, 1706, 1802, 1804, and 1806. In response, all the speakerphoneswill receive instructions, such as to mute their respective microphones,via the cable connections 1714, 1812, 1814, and 1816.

Alternatively, the speakerphone may include one or more USB ports at anylocation on the speakerphone for connection to an audio source. Forexample, a USB port may be on one of the side walls of the speakerphonefor ease of access.

In further examples, a single speakerphone may be used to conduct agiven call. In this case, the speakerphone setup only requires a USBconnection with the audio source. FIG. 20 shows a view of the bottomface of a speakerphone wired for single unit use. As shown, only a USBconnection 2002 is used to connect to an audio source. The audio source,such as a computer, may also serve as the power source for thespeakerphone. FIGS. 21A and 21B show setups 2100A and 2100B for aspeakerphone used as a single unit. The speakerphone 1704 is connectedto audio source 1702, such as a computer, via a cable connection 1712,such as a USB cable. Audio source 1702 may be a type that may serve asboth the audio source and a power source, in which case the speakerphoneneed not be connected to a separate power source, as shown in setup2100A. However, as shown in setup 2100B, the speakerphone is alsoproperly installed when connected to a separate power source 1708 viapower cable 1716.

The features of the speakerphone described above allows for simple andintuitive design. The configuration of the ports in the cavity of thespeakerphone not only creates a more efficient use of space since stiffwires are able to lay flat instead of bent at an angle, but theconfiguration also allows for intuitive and safe installation. When usedas a mid unit, for example, the speakerphone is not directly connectedto a power supply. Also, there is no confusion as to which speakerphonemay be used as which unit, since each speakerphone device is configuredto work in any position in the chain. The button features describedabove allow for the speakerphone to be used easily by users who arevisually impaired.

Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are notmutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations toachieve unique advantages. As these and other variations andcombinations of the features discussed above can be utilized withoutdeparting from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoingdescription of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustrationrather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by theclaims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, aswell as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, shouldnot be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to thespecific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate onlyone of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers indifferent drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing that includes: a top face;and a bottom face opposite the top face, the bottom face including acavity, the cavity comprising a well that has: a first wall having afirst port opening, and a second wall adjacent to the first wall, thesecond wall having a second port opening; and wherein the first portopening is inaccessible when a first cable is connected to the secondport opening, and the second port opening is inaccessible when a secondcable is connected to the first port opening.
 2. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to enclose a speaker and amicrophone.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the cavityfurther comprises at least two channels, a first channel running betweena first side wall and the well, and a second channel running between asecond side wall and the well.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3,wherein the well has a first depth selected to receive a plug of thefirst or second cable, and the at least two channels each have a seconddepth selected to receive the first or second cable therethrough.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein: the first port opening isconfigured to receive a data link cable plug, and the second portopening is configured to receive a power cable plug.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 5, wherein the data link cable plug is a RJ45 cable plugand the power cable plug is a barrel power plug.
 7. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising one or more processors that areconfigured to: detect one or more cables are connected to the electronicdevice; determine whether the electronic device is connected to a secondelectronic device based on the detected one or more cables; when theelectronic device is determined to be connected to the second electronicdevice, determine whether the electronic device is a type of unit of agroup of units based on the detected one or more cables; and operate theelectronic device according to the type of unit that the electronicdevice is determined to be.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured to: determine whetherone or more cables are improperly connected to the electronic devicebased on the detected one or more cables; and provide an indication ofthe improper connection using the electronic device.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the well further has: a third wall adjacentto the second wall and parallel to the first wall, the third wall havinga third port opening, and a fourth wall adjacent to the first wall andthe third wall and parallel to the second wall; and wherein the thirdport opening is accessible when the second cable is connected to thefirst port opening.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein thefirst port opening and the third port opening are each configured toreceive a data link cable plug.
 11. The electronic device of claim 9,wherein the first wall has a fourth port opening that is configured toreceive a micro-USB plug, and the fourth wall has a cable guide for amicro-USB cable.
 12. The electronic device of claim 9, furthercomprising one or more processors that are configured to: detect the oneor more cables are connected to the electronic device; determine whetherthe electronic device is connected to a second electronic device whenthe detected one or more cables includes a first connected cable that isconnected to the first port opening or the third port opening; when theelectronic device is determined to be connected to the second electronicdevice, determine whether the electronic device is a type of unit of agroup of units based on the detected one or more cables; and operate theelectronic device according to the type of unit that the electronicdevice is determined to be.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12,wherein the type of unit is a master unit, a mid unit, or an end unit,and determining whether the electronic device is the type of unitincludes: determining that the electronic device is the master unit whenthe detected one or more cables includes a second connected cable thatis connected to a fourth port opening in the housing and an audiosource; determining that the electronic device is the mid unit when thedetected one or more cables when the detected one or more cablesincludes a third connected cable that is connected to the first portopening or the third port opening; and determining that the electronicdevice is the end unit when the detected one or more cables are notconfigured for the master unit or the mid unit.
 14. A kit comprising, aplurality of speakerphones, each speakerphone having a housingcomprising: a top face; a bottom face including a cavity, the cavitycomprising a well that has: a first wall having a first port opening,and a second wall adjacent to the first wall, the second wall having asecond port opening, wherein the first port opening is inaccessible whena first cable is connected to the second port opening, and the secondport opening is inaccessible when a second cable is connected to thefirst port opening; and one or more processors configured to operate theplurality of speakerphones to provide a same audio output from each ofthe plurality of speakerphones.
 15. The kit of claim 14, wherein: thewell also has a third wall parallel to the first wall, the third wallhaving a third port opening; the first port opening of a firstspeakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones is configured to beconnected to a second speakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones;the second port opening of the first speakerphone is configured to beconnected to a power source; and the third port opening of the firstspeakerphone is configured to be connected to a third speakerphone ofthe plurality of speakerphones.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein: thefirst port opening is configured to receive a first data link cableplug, the second port opening is configured to receive a power cableplug, and the third port opening is configured to receive is a seconddata link cable plug.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein: the first wallfurther includes a fourth port opening that is configured to receive amicro-USB cable plug; and the well also has a fourth wall parallel tothe second wall, the fourth wall having a cable guide for a micro-USBcable.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors arefurther configured to: detect one or more cables are connected to agiven speakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones; determine whetherthe given speakerphone is connected to another speakerphone of theplurality of speakerphones when the detected one or more cables includesa first connected cable that is connected to the first port opening orthe third port opening of the given speakerphone; when the givenspeakerphone is determined to be connected to the other speakerphone,determine whether the given speakerphone is a type of unit of a group ofunits based on the detected one or more cables by: determining that thegiven speakerphone is a master unit when the detected one or more cablesincludes a second connected cable that is connected to the fourth portopening of the given speakerphone and an audio source, determining thatthe given speakerphone is a mid unit when the detected one or morecables when the detected one or more cables includes a third connectedcable that is connected to the first port opening or the third portopening of the given speakerphone, and determining that the givenspeakerphone is an end unit when the detected one or more cables are notconfigured for the master unit or the mid unit; and operate the givenspeakerphone according to the type of unit that the other speakerphoneis determined to be.
 19. The kit of claim 14, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: detect one or more cables areconnected to a given speakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones;determine whether the given speakerphone is connected to anotherspeakerphone of the plurality of speakerphones based on the detected oneor more cables; when the given speakerphone is determined to beconnected to the other speakerphone, determine whether the givenspeakerphone is a type of unit of a group of units based on the detectedone or more cables; and operate the given speakerphone according to thetype of unit that the given speakerphone is determined to be.
 20. Thekit of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to: determine whether one or more cables are improperlyconnected to the given speakerphone based on the detected one or morecables; and provide an indication of the improper connection using thegiven speakerphone.